Would enteral nutrition be covered for anorexia?

• A. Yes
• B. Only with a special waiver
• C. No
• D. Only if combined with parenteral nutrition

Answer: (C)

Enteral nutrition is used when the gut is functional but a patient cannot meet nutritional needs through oral intake because of a medical condition that prevents adequate nourishment. Anorexia nervosa is a psychiatric disorder whose treatment focuses on weight restoration through oral feeding and psychotherapy. Tube feeding is not a typical or standardly covered option for treating anorexia by itself, unless another medical condition requires it. Therefore, enteral nutrition would not be covered for anorexia in the usual sense. The other options don’t change the underlying indication—there isn’t a standard waiver or a requirement to combine with parenteral nutrition when there’s no medical necessity for tube feeding.